Physical gold and silver are the oldest stores of value on earth, and at PureJewels, we have been helping the South Asian community in London buy and hold precious metals for over 50 years. Our bars and coins collection spans 99.99% pure 24ct gold bars from LBMA-approved refiners, Royal Mint gold and silver coins (CGT-exempt for UK residents), and our exclusive limited-edition Diwali and Ganesha coins in silver. Whether you are making your first gold investment, buying as a gift, or building a long-term precious metals portfolio, we provide transparent, market-linked pricing, full documentation, and personal advice from our Green Street showroom at 290–292 Green Street, London E7.
What Are Bullion Bars & Coins?
Bullion refers to gold or silver in its purest, most investment-grade form — bars and coins whose value is derived primarily from the weight and purity of the precious metal they contain, rather than from design, craftsmanship, or collectibility. Unlike jewellery, which includes making charges, design costs, and VAT, investment-grade bullion is priced close to the live market rate and offers a more direct, transparent way to hold and grow wealth through precious metals.
Why Buy Bars & Coins from PureJewels?
- 50+ years of precious metal trading in London: PureJewels has been buying and selling gold and silver — jewellery, bars, and coins — for the South Asian community in East London since the 1970s. We understand both the investment rationale and the cultural significance of precious metals.
- LBMA-approved brands only: Our gold bars are sourced exclusively from Umicore, Metalor, Heraeus, Valcambi, C. Hafner, PAMP Suisse, and Baird & Co — globally recognised for quality and accepted by dealers worldwide for resale. Every bar comes with a serial number and certificate.
- Royal Mint coins — CGT-exempt: UK Britannia and Sovereign coins are classified as legal tender and are therefore exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. This is a significant tax advantage and one of the key reasons to choose Royal Mint coins over foreign bullion.
- Transparent, market-linked pricing: All bars and coins are priced in line with the daily gold and silver spot rate with minimal premium. Prices update regularly — what you see is what you pay, with no hidden markup applied at checkout.
- Personal consultation at Green Street or via WhatsApp: For purchases over £1,000, or if you are new to precious metal investment, we offer personal consultations at our Green Street showroom or via WhatsApp (+44 7384 814118). Our team can help you choose the right bar size, coin type, and holding strategy for your goals.
What We Stock — A Complete Overview
Gold Bars
99.99% pure 24ct gold in sizes from 1g (for first-time buyers and gifting) to 1kg+ (for serious investors). LBMA-approved brands. Fully VAT-exempt as investment gold. Every bar arrives with a serial number and certificate of authenticity in secure card-style packaging. Brands include PAMP Suisse, Baird & Co, Heraeus, Valcambi, and Umicore — brand supplied depends on current stock.
Gold Coins
Royal Mint Gold Britannia and Gold Sovereign coins in 24ct and 22ct gold respectively. Both VAT-exempt and CGT-exempt for UK residents. The Britannia (1oz, 24ct) and Sovereign (0.2354 troy oz, 22ct) are the most liquid gold coins in the UK market — accepted by dealers globally. Also available: Krugerrand (South African, CGT-applicable), and limited-edition Lakshmi/Ganesha coins.
Silver Coins
Royal Mint Silver Britannia coins in 999 fine silver. CGT-exempt for UK residents. Note: silver coins carry 20% VAT on purchase (unlike gold bullion). Also available: our exclusive limited-edition Diwali silver coins featuring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, released annually in limited quantities.
Gold Bars vs Gold Coins — How to Choose
Factor | Gold Bars | Gold Coins |
VAT | VAT-exempt (investment gold) | VAT-exempt (Royal Mint UK coins) |
CGT | CGT applies on gains | CGT-exempt (Royal Mint UK coins) |
Premium per gram | Lower (especially larger bars) | Slightly higher (minting costs) |
Liquidity | Good for larger bars; lower for smaller | Very high — accepted globally |
Storage | Compact for larger weights | Compact; easy to divide |
Gifting | Card-style packaging; excellent gifts | Presentation packaging; popular gifts |
Best for | Bulk investment, long-term storage | Flexibility, gifting, CGT-free growth |
⚠️ ID required for bullion purchases. To comply with HMRC regulations, customers purchasing bullion are required to provide two forms of identification: one for proof of address and one for photo identification. This is a standard regulatory requirement across all UK bullion dealers and is required at both in-store and online purchases above certain thresholds.
Investment Gold in South Asian Culture
In South Asian culture, gold has never been purely decorative — it is simultaneously jewellery, savings account, and family insurance. The tradition of buying gold bars, tolas, and coins as an investment alongside jewellery is deeply embedded across Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities in the UK. Dhanteras (the day before Diwali) is the single biggest gold-buying day of the year in these communities. Weddings routinely involve the giving and receiving of gold bars and coins alongside jewellery. And for many families, a stack of gold bars held at home represents the most tangible form of multigenerational wealth transfer.
At PureJewels, we understand and honour this tradition. Our bars and coins collection is built for buyers who understand that gold has long-term value — not just jewellery buyers who are curious about investment.
Also Known As — What People Search For
- Buy gold bars UK
- Gold coins UK investment
- LBMA gold bars London
- Royal Mint Britannia coin UK
- CGT-exempt gold UK
- Gold Sovereign UK
- Sone ki dali / sona bar (Hindi — gold bar)
- Diwali gold coin UK
- Gold tola UK (11.66g traditional South Asian measure)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Royal Mint gold coins CGT-exempt?
Yes — UK Britannia and Sovereign coins produced by the Royal Mint are classified as UK legal tender and are therefore exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. This means any profit made on selling them is completely tax-free, regardless of the amount. This is a significant advantage over gold bars and foreign gold coins, where CGT applies to gains above the annual allowance. Silver Britannia coins are also CGT-exempt by the same rule.
Is gold VAT-exempt in the UK?
Investment gold — including gold bars at 99.5%+ purity and certain gold coins — is exempt from VAT under UK law. Our gold bars and Royal Mint gold coins are fully VAT-exempt. Silver bullion (coins and bars) is subject to 20% VAT on purchase — this is an important distinction when comparing gold and silver as investments.
Do I need ID to buy gold bars from PureJewels?
Yes — to comply with HMRC regulations, customers purchasing bullion require two forms of identification: one for proof of address and one for photo identification. This applies to purchases above certain thresholds, both in-store and online. This is a standard regulatory requirement across all UK bullion dealers — it protects both buyer and seller and is required by law.
Can I buy gold bars and coins in store at Green Street?
Yes — our showroom at 290–292 Green Street, Forest Gate, London E7 stocks a selection of gold bars and coins in person. We also offer private consultations for larger purchases via WhatsApp (+44 7384 814118) or by appointment at the showroom. For a full price discussion and to check current stock of specific bar sizes or coin types, contact us before visiting.
What is the difference between a gold tola and a gold bar?
A tola is a traditional South Asian unit of weight used historically for gold — equal to 11.66 grams (slightly less than half a troy ounce). Gold bars are measured in grams, troy ounces, or kilograms by the international bullion market. At PureJewels, we stock bars in standard international gram weights (1g, 2g, 5g, 10g, 20g, 50g, 100g etc.) rather than tola measurements, though a 10g bar is approximately 0.857 tola and a 100g bar is approximately 8.57 tola for reference.